The customer’s story

We created this tote for the business as a showpiece for the quality our shop can design and build. We wanted a large tote that works well when open and unfastened, and when closed keeps what is inside protected and secure. This tote conveys fabric samples and portfolio examples to customer’s boats or offices, so it has to look right and hold up. The bag is part of our portfolio.

The scope

A large custom designed tote in white marine vinyl with a hand-laid double diamond quilt, Top Gun tan welted base and twist-lock closures.

The approach

We designed the bag and made a new custom pattern for it and it makes use of marine materials and finishes throughout. The outside is white marine vinyl, quilted in a double diamond that we lay out by hand and ruler. Each line is stitched one at a time on our Juki industrial machine, and a double diamond takes twice the sewing time of a single one. All the stitching is Sunguard 138 outdoor polyester thread in cream, which stands up to sun and weather. The liner is Tempotest Silver Tweed marine canvas, quilted over 1/4" scrim foam, and every seam inside is finished with edge binding so it is clean and durable.

The bottom is reinforced with a tan Top Gun fabric panel, and we added a welt around it as a visual detail. The straps are four layers of Tempotest solution-dyed acrylic, long enough to carry over the shoulder. They are continuous, loop under the bottom of the bag and are sewn with two rows of stitching, so the weight of the contents travels to the handles with good support. At the bag edge, where the load is highest, each handle is reinforced with box stitching and a DOT nickel-plated brass button rivet. The three closures are DOT "common sense" twist locks in nickel-plated brass, placed and set by hand in our workshop.

The result

A roomy tote that carries comfortably and closes when you want it closed. It is a close look at the detail we put into every canvas and upholstery job. Workmanship and hardware carry our two-year warranty.

Materials

Outer fabricWhite marine vinyl, quilted in a double diamond over 1/4" scrim foamWipes clean and stands up to the dock.
Bottom panelTop Gun fabric in tan, with a weltReinforces the base; the welt is a visual detail.
LinerTempotest Silver Tweed marine canvas, quilted with 1/4" scrim foamSeams inside are finished with edge binding.
StrapsTempotest solution-dyed acrylic fabric, four layersLong enough to carry over the shoulder; continuous, looping under the bag bottom.
ThreadSunguard 138 outdoor polyester in creamUsed for all stitching.
ClosuresDOT "common sense" twist-lock fasteners, nickel-plated brassThree, set by hand in the shop.
Handle reinforcementDOT nickel-plated brass button rivet on each strap, stainless steel washer inside the bagBacks the handle connection at the bag edge; the same rivet sets the twist-lock fastener.
Welt cord1/8" white nylon/polyester blend braided rope
Assembly1/4" basting tape; spray contact adhesiveHolds the layers in place for sewing.

Photographs

Each photograph opens larger.

The finished white quilted tote standing on a bench, with grey straps, three twist-lock closures and a tan base. — The finished tote, with three hand-set DOT twist locks.

Vinyl fabric on a plywood bench, ruled with a grid of diamonds, a hand resting on it, fabric rolls at the right. — The double diamond, laid out by hand and ruler.

A flat panel of white marine vinyl quilted in a double diamond pattern on the workbench. — Quilted one line at a time on our Juki industrial machine.

A grey fabric panel quilted in diamonds with white stitching, laid on the workbench with loose threads at the edges. — The grey liner, quilted with the double diamond pattern. Stitch tension is key.

The open tote seen from above, its grey quilted liner and bound seams visible, a hand holding the rim. — Inside, the quilted liner and bound seams. It works open or closed.

The tote lying on its side showing the tan bottom panel with a welted edge, and the strap ends at the top. — The tan Top Gun base panel, with its welt.

Close-up of a grey strap meeting the tan welted bottom panel, with rows of cream stitching. — The welt and the strap’s double rows of stitching, up close.

The narrow end of the tote, white diamond quilting above a tan panel with a centre seam. — End view: diamonds meeting cleanly at the seam above the base.

The front of the white quilted tote with two grey straps, three silver twist-lock closures and two strap buttons. — Nickel-plated brass fasteners and a button rivet on each strap.

The other side of the quilted tote with two grey straps and silver rivet heads in pairs near the top edge. — The matching side of the closures, set by hand.